Often, members of a family don’t have the skills or financial resources essential when addressing the needs of the elderly who require special medical attention. Their only option is to entrust that responsibility to the staff of a nursing home. Elder care facilities are then in charge of the well-being of the family member who becomes a part of that community. Ideally, a relationship based on trust is created between facility, their new resident, and the resident’s family.
Unfortunately, elder care mistreatment is a reality in the U.S. that is very difficult to measure. Tracking how many people suffer from neglect and abuse is challenging for several reasons:
- Many residents of nursing home facilities are fearful to report abuse out of a fear of repercussions.
- Indications of abuse may not be recognized by facility staff.
- Employees of nursing home facilities may not be adequately trained in the detection of abuse.
- Nursing home residents may not have the physical or mental capacity to report the abuse.
- The abused may not want the abuser to be punished.
If a loved one has sustained an injury while in the care of a nursing home, an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer will be able to help make sure the right parties are held accountable.
Indications of Nursing Home Abuse
The National Center on Elder Abuse reports data about elderly abuse is almost 20 years behind information reported about domestic violence and child abuse.
Physical abuse in a senior care facility can be as severe as rape or assault and battery. Alternatively, it may involve less drastic acts such as forced restraint or the unauthorized administration of drugs.
Abuse emotionally may entail humiliation, insults or threats to residents. It can also consist of disregarding or ignoring patients or isolating them against their will. Because the elderly aren’t as likely to report abuse, you should be aware of the signs of abuse if you have a family member in a nursing home facility.
Signs of abuse include:
- Unexpected bleeding or bruising
- Bed sores
- Cuts
- Open wounds
- Abrasions
- Burns
- Weight loss
- Poor hygiene
- An odor of excrement
- Infections
- Soiled or torn bedding
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Vero Beach
When a family makes the decision to put an elder member into a nursing home, faith is placed in that facility. There is an expectation that the facility staff will keep loved ones safe and out of harm’s way.
In Florida and states across the country, legal measures were put in place to make sure employees of elder care facilities offer a certain level of quality service. But the insufficient training or education of staff combined with cost cutting measures put the health and safety of your loved ones at risk.
The Vero Beach nursing home abuse lawyers at Vocelle & Berg, LLP are well versed in the area of medical negligence. They have diligently worked to help residents across Illinois who have endured pain and suffering as a result of negligence in senior care facilities.
Resource:
ncea.acl.gov/whatwedo/research/statistics.html#risk
https://www.vocelleberg.com/how-to-fight-nursing-home-neglect/